Training

The Division of Early Care and Learning requires two types of initial training for child care providers: 

1. Pre-Service training must be completed prior to working with children.
2. Orientation training must be completed within 30 days of employment.

Training requirements include specific courses and annual clock hours. View licensing training requirements. Requirements for Family Child Care Homes can be found here.

To meet the annual clock hour training requirements, all licensed child care providers are required to have three clock hours of training focused on social emotional development and 12 clock hours of training focused on eight competencies:

1. Child growth and development and learning or courses that aligns with the competency domains of child growth and development
2. Child observation and assessment
3. Family and community partnership
4. Guidance
5. Health, safety and nutrition
6. Professional development and leadership
7. Program planning and development
8. Teaching practices

Administration of Medication

• This training is only required for staff designated to administer medication and must be taken every three years.
• In addition to medication administration, this course covers the prevention and response to emergencies due to food and allergic reactions. 
• QMAP training cannot be substituted for Medication Administration. 
• There are two options for completing this training:
  1. through the Colorado Shines PDIS as a hybrid model, with Part I taken online and Part II taken face-to-face through approved training vendors through Healthy Child Care Colorado; or
  2. as a face-to-face training through approved training vendors through Healthy Child Care Colorado. 

To find the Part I course, log into the Colorado Shines PDIS, click on 'Go to Learning', and search for "Medication Administration Training, Part I."

Building and Physical Premises Safety & Storage of Hazardous Materials and Bio-Contaminants

• Child care providers should work with their Division of Early Care and Learning Licensing Specialist to develop a plan and complete this training. All child care facility staff should receive this information prior to working with children.

Child Care and Preschool Immunization

• All child care facility staff responsible for the collection, review and maintenance of the child immunization records must complete the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Child Care/Preschool Immunization Course. This course must be completed annually and is updated on July 1 of each year.
• This course is available on the PDIS. Log into the Colorado Shines PDIS, click on 'Go to Learning', and search for "Child Care and Preschool Immunizations (2021-2022)."

Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response

• All child care facility staff must complete this training prior to working with children. This is a one-time training requirement.
• The FEMA course aims to prepare child care providers with the knowledge and preparedness to appropriately react to hazards and threats. Topics covered in this 2-hour course include recognizing hazards, developing a plan, and implementing and testing the plan.
• Sign up for the FEMA course or view approved training vendors.

First Aid and CPR Certification

• Child care facility staff required to be First Aid/CPR certified defined by child care facility rules must complete training. Certification must be renewed prior to expiration (annually or bi-annually depending on the certificate received).
• Family Child Care Home applicants must complete this training prior to the initial licensing visit.
• View approved training vendors.

Introduction to First Aid and CPR (NOT CERTIFICATION)

• Child care facility staff NOT required to be certified by child care facility rules must complete this training within 30 days of employment. Training must be renewed every other year following the initial training completion date.
• This course is available on the PDIS. Log into the Colorado Shines PDIS, click on 'Learning', and search for "Introduction to First Aid and CPR."

Precautions in Transporting Children

• Child care Center staff may work with their Division of Early Care and Learning Licensing Specialist to complete this training on-site at their facility.
• Family Child Care Homes staff should refer to rules regulating family child care homes for requirements and procedures.

Pre-Licensing Training

• This training is required for Family Child Care Home staff only. Family Child Care Home applicants must complete this training prior to the initial licensing visit.
• View approved training vendors.

Prevention of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome & Use of Safe Sleeping Practices

• All child care facility staff working with children younger than 12 months of age must complete this training prior to working with children. This is an annual training requirement.
• This course is available on the PDIS. Log into the Colorado Shines PDIS, click on 'Go to Learning', and search for "Infant Safe Sleep Practices."
• View a list of in-person trainers.

Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma

• All child care facility staff working with children younger than younger than 3 years of age must complete this training prior to working with children. This training is required every two years.
• This course is available on the PDIS.
• View a list of in-person trainers.

Recognition and Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect (Mandated Reporter Training)

• All child care facility staff are required by law to make reports of child abuse and/or neglect. Mandated reporter training provides information on warning signs of child abuse or neglect, appropriate responses, and how to make a report.
• Child care providers are required to complete this training prior to working with children and must renew this training annually.
• This course is available on the PDIS. Log into the Colorado Shines PDIS, click on 'Go to Learning', and search for "Recognition and Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect."

Standard Precautions Training

• This course includes “Prevention and Control of Infections Disease and Immunization".
• All child care facility staff are required to complete this training prior to working with children and must renew this training annually.
• View approved training vendors.

The Colorado Shines Professional Development Information System (PDIS) is a web-based system providing free and easy access to professional development courses.​

This system tracks training and education, provides high-quality online professional development, and helps individuals select a professional development path according to their competency level, their professional development goals, their job or role, and their geographic location.​

Through the Colorado Shines PDIS, online courses, scholarships, opportunities to connect with other early childhood professionals and other resources are provided at no cost to you. The Colorado Shines PDIS also calculates your Early Childhood Professional Credential level.

View a printable list of courses available on the Colorado Shines PDIS.

The Division of Early Care and Learning approves vendors for the following training:

• Standard Precautions
• CPR and First Aid
• Wilderness First Aid
• Family Child Care Home Pre-Licensing
• Medication Administration Training

Find a trainer in your community.

The Colorado Department of Early Childhood approves trainers for the following courses:

• Standard Precautions
• CPR and First Aid
• Wilderness First Aid
• Family Child Care Home Pre-Licensing
• Medication Administration Training

Learn about how to become an approved trainer for each course on the Colorado Shines Professional Development Information System (PDIS). 

The Department's Approved Training Vendors list includes all approved trainers.

If you have any additional questions about becoming an approved training vendor, please contact the PDIS Help Desk.